A single 45-minute exercise session raised cancer-fighting proteins in survivors’ blood. (Study: A single bout of resistance or high-intensity interval training increases anti-cancer myokines and suppresses cancer cell growth in vitro in survivors of breast cancer) (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The study tested blood before exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes later. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Researchers found short-term rises in decorin, interleukin-6, and SPARC after exercise. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The conditioned blood slowed growth of aggressive breast cancer cells in the lab. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The work offers a biological link between exercise and reduced cancer cell growth. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
This finding matters because breast cancer affects millions of women globally. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Researchers note 2.3 million new global breast cancer cases in 2022. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Thailand reported 38,559 breast cancer cases in 2022. (Association between sociodemographic factors and health beliefs related to breast cancer screening behavior among Northern Thai women) (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed female cancer in Thailand. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
The new trial enrolled 32 breast cancer survivors. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The study used a randomized, single-bout design. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
One group did resistance training for 45 minutes. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The other group did 45 minutes of high-intensity interval training. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Researchers collected serum samples at three time points. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They applied the exercise-conditioned serum to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
MDA-MB-231 cells model triple-negative breast cancer. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Triple-negative cancers lack hormone receptors and resist some treatments. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The serum reduced cancer cell growth by about 20 to 29 percent. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Immediate post-exercise suppression ranged about 20 to 21 percent. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Thirty minutes post-exercise suppression ranged about 19 to 29 percent. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
High-intensity interval training produced greater immediate suppression than resistance training. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The serum increased decorin, IL-6, and SPARC by 9 to 47 percent. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
These myokines come from contracting skeletal muscle. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Myokines can act across organs through the bloodstream. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Decorin may modify the tumour microenvironment and slow growth. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
SPARC can affect cell adhesion and extracellular matrix remodeling. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
IL-6 can trigger anti-tumour pathways in certain contexts. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The biological picture remains complex. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Exercise also reduces chronic inflammation and improves fitness. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Higher fitness links to lower all-cause mortality in cancer survivors. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Past studies showed exercise-conditioned serum suppressed cancer cells in healthy donors. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
This trial adds evidence from actual breast cancer survivors. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Lead researcher Francesco Bettariga described the results as strong motivation to use exercise in care. (Statement quoted in ScienceAlert) (https://www.sciencealert.com/exercise-can-help-fight-breast-cancer-experiments-show).
The authors concluded both exercise modes cause acute myokine changes and reduced cancer cell growth. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The study has clear limitations. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Researchers tested one cancer cell line only. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They used 2D cell cultures that do not mimic full tumours. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The trial measured a limited set of molecules. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The sample size remained modest. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
These constraints limit direct clinical conclusions. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Researchers called for long-term trials of exercise and recurrence outcomes. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They also urged studies using diverse cell models. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They recommended 3D organoid models for future lab work. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Clinicians have already endorsed exercise as supportive cancer care. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Guidelines link exercise to improvements in fatigue and quality of life. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Epidemiology shows higher activity links to lower recurrence risk. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
One pooled estimate suggests roughly 20 percent lower recurrence or mortality. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Thai health services already use community networks for cancer awareness. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Village health volunteers helped improve breast self-examination uptake in Thailand. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Those volunteers could also support exercise programs for survivors. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Thailand faces gaps in mammography access in rural areas. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Community exercise can reach survivors outside big hospitals. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Hospitals can add supervised exercise to survivorship clinics. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists can guide safe programs. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Programs should tailor intensity to fitness and treatment status. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
High-intensity sessions produced larger IL-6 responses in the trial. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Resistance training also raised myokines and reduced cell growth. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Both exercise forms therefore merit consideration in care plans. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Thai clinicians should weigh benefits and patient preferences. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Cultural factors can support exercise uptake in Thailand. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Family caregiving and community groups can encourage regular activity. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58155-y).
Temples and local parks can host group exercise for survivors. (No direct source; cultural suggestion).
Health education should stress safety and gradual progress. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Survivors should consult their oncology team before starting exercise. (Best clinical practice).
Clinicians should screen for treatment-related limits. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Public health agencies can fund supervised programs in provinces. (Policy recommendation).
Researchers should test whether repeated exercise bouts give lasting anti-cancer benefits. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They should measure recurrence and survival in large trials. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They should expand molecular profiling of exercise responses. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They should include diverse ethnic and age groups. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
They should report medications that might affect myokine responses. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Policymakers should consider exercise as part of comprehensive survivorship care. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The new data strengthen the case for exercise in oncology. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
The findings give biological plausibility to epidemiological links. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
Thai survivors can view exercise as a useful adjunct to medical care. (Contextual recommendation).
Clinicians and community leaders can partner to create safe exercise options. (Actionable step).
Researchers and funders should prioritise trials that test long-term clinical outcomes. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).
For now, the lab results offer hope. (Study implication).
They also remind clinicians and patients about the broad benefits of activity. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259798/).